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Snow Emergency Declared in D.C. For First Time Since 2010

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES: Snow trucks clean the streets of Washington DC, in front of the National Archives 26 January 2004, after a snow fall. Several inches of snow fell overnight and freezing rain is expected in the Washington area later in the day. AFP PHOTO Joyce NALTCHAYAN (Photo credit should read JOYCE NALTCHAYAN/AFP/Getty Images)

credit: JOYCE NALTCHAYAN/AFP/Getty Images

Updated: 10:59 p.m. Feb. 12, 2014
Posted: 4 p.m. Feb. 12, 2014

WASHINGTON (CBSDC/AP) — A snow emergency is in effect in the District for the first time since 2010.

City officials declared the snow emergency as of 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Vehicles parked on designated snow emergency routes will be towed and ticketed. According to the District Department of Transportation website there’s a $250 fine for parking on a snow emergency route during a declared emergency, plus a $100 towing fee as well as impound fees

Mayor Vincent Gray says the storm, which is expected to bring 9 to 12 inches of snow to the nation’s capital, will likely cause the city to exceed its snow removal budget for the year.

The city’s government offices will be closed Thursday.

A state of emergency has already been declared in Maryland and Virginia.